Tuesday Afternoon Round Up

March 07, 2017
5500
Ultimate Rugby

Dragons sign Springbok star Zane Kirchner

Newport Gwent Dragons have confirmed the signing of Springbok Zane Kirchner.

“I am delighted to welcome Zane to the Dragons," commented Dragons Head Coach Kingsley Jones.

"His experience both on and off the field will be invaluable for this young squad.

“In addition to his experience, he understands how to win having played a major part in Super Rugby, International Rugby and through helping Leinster secure the PRO12 title in 2014.

Kirchner has over 30 Springbok test caps having played fullback, wing and centre at the highest level. He previously has played for the Bulls in Super Rugby and the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup. During his five years with the Blue Bulls, Kirchner made 64 Currie Cup appearances whilst scoring 64 points.

He will join up with the Men of Gwent in the Summer following four seasons at fellow PRO12 club Leinster Rugby.

Lelia Masaga returns to Chiefs

The Chiefs have confirmed that Lelia Masaga has returned. The 30 year-old winger left the franchise to play in Japan 2013 having made 91 Super Rugby appearances.

Dave Rennie admitted the finisher is a decent back-up to have in the squad this season.

"Lelia's a good man so he could well feature (later in the campaign) if we get some injuries,"

Duncan Taylor ruled out of England clash

The Scottish Rugby Union announced that Saracens centre Duncan Taylor has been ruled out of Scotland's Six Nations clash with England this weekend, with a hamstring injury.

The 27-year-old has not featured for Scotland since last summer's tour of Japan after sustaining an ankle injury but was hoping to earn a recall in time for Saturday's Twickenham showdown.

The SRU said: "Scotland and Saracens centre Duncan Taylor will remain in the care of his club's medical team for further assessment after he sustained a hamstring injury against Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership on Sunday."

Scotland have already lost the services of captain Greig Laidlaw and back-rowers Josh Strauss and John Hardie to injury so far.

Stormers Injury Update

DHL Stormers outside back Cheslin Kolbe will miss thid weekend's Super Rugby clash with the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth with an ankle injury.

Kolbe sustained the lateral ankle ligament injury in the 32-25 victory against the Jaguares in Round Two last week.

Dan Kriel suffered a lateral knee sprain and will be rested this week as a precaution along with flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis who has a minor groin strain.

Wilhelm van der Sluys joins Southern Kings on loan

The giant lock, Wilhelm van der Sluys, joined Worcester Warriors as a realist in November and made his Cup debut against Wasps.

He has since been out on loan at Rotherham Titans and London Scottish and now moves back to his native South Africa to gain experience in Super Rugby.

Van der Sluys is a former Western Province Under 19, 21 and a South Africa Under 20.

He will link up with the Southern Kings during this season Super Rugby.

Crusaders call up Bryn Gatland

Bryn Gatland, who played a starring role for North Harbour last year, has been signed by the Crusaders as temporary injury cover for Richie Mo’unga, who has been ruled out for eight weeks with a broken hand.

Son of British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland, Bryn helped North Harbour win the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership title with a late drop goal against Otago in Dunedin.

Jason Emery out of Super Rugby 2017

The Highlanders medical staff have confirmed that centre Jason Emery will miss the remainder of Super Rugby after rupturing his Achilles.

Emery becomes the second Highlanders player to be ruled out for the season following Hayden Parker's injury.

“I really feel for Jason, he has looked very sharp through preseason and was looking to make it a big year. I know he is a positive guy and he will work hard to come back from this and get back to fitness for 2018.” said Head Coach Tony Brown.

The Highlanders have a long injury list now that includes Ben Smith, Hayden Parker, Ash Dixon, Dan Pryor, Shane Christie, Luke Whitelock and Marty Banks.

Head Coach Laurie Fisher leaves Gloucester Rugby

Gloucester Rugby can confirm that Head Coach Laurie Fisher has left the club with immediate effect.

Fisher met with club officials over the past 48 hours and it was mutually agreed that he would leave his position.

Former Brumbies coach Fisher joined the Cherry and Whites in 2014.

Gloucester are ninth in the Premiership table, but have qualified for the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals this season after topping their group with five wins from six.

Italy announce team to face France

Following their 36-15 defeat to England, Italy coach Conor O'Shea has made 3 changes to his starting line-up.

In the front row Leonardo Ghiraldini replaces Ornel Gega, while at flyhalf Carlo Canna comes in for the injured Tommaso Allan. The final change sees Angelo Esposito come in for Guilio Bisengi.

Lions name touring squad to Argentina

The Lions have confirmed the touring squad for the Super Rugby match against the Jaguares in Argentina on 11 March.

Springboks not travelling with the side are Elton Jantjies (expecting his second baby this week), Franco Mostert (rest), Lionel Mapoe (rehab and rest), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (funeral of his mother), and Ruan Combrinck (injured).

The Lions take on the Jaguares on 11 March in Buenos Aires.

Jacques van Rooyen
Dylan Smit
Ruan Dreyer
Johannes Jonker
Hencus van Wyk
Malcolm Marx
Robbie Coetzee
Andries Ferreira
Lourens Erasmus
Marvin Orie
Jaco Kriel
Kwagga Smith
Cyle Brink
Ruan Ackermann
Warren Whiteley
Ross Cronjé
Faf de Klerk
Andries Coetzee
Shaun Reynolds
Jaco van der Walt
Courtnall Skosan
Anthony Volmink
Harold Vorster
Jacques Nel
Sylvian Mahuza

France U20 makes 6 changes for team to face Italy

The French team has made six changes in the team that will face Italy on the 4th Round of the 6 Nations Tournament.

Millet-Arrate replaces Barassi-Dachary, Baptiste Couilloud will wear the number 9 jersey, and the front row sees three changes with Kilian Geraci in third row and the return of Florian Dufour and Ugo Boniface to the front row.

Friday 10 March 2017 in Capoterra, Italy - France

1. BONIFACE Ugo (Aviron Bayonnais)

2. DUFOUR Florian (SU Agen)

3. LACLAYAT Thomas (US Oyonnax)

4. VERHAEGHE Florian (Stade Toulousain) -capitaine

5. CAPELLI Mickaël (FC Grenoble)

6. GERACY Kilian (FC Grenoble)

7. CRETIN Dylan (Lyon OU)

8. ROUMAT Alexandre (Biarritz Olympique)

9. COUILLOUD Batiste (Lyon OU)

10. N’TAMACK Romain (Stade Toulousain)

11. IRAGUHA William (RC Massy Essonne)